Day 27: Lunch

[norainu]

Renji wasn't so certain what this grilled cheese thing was all about, but he liked the sound of some soup. Even if it was strange western soup, well... there wasn't anything bad people could do to soup, in his experience. His good mood was starting to fray at the edges, a little, from the strain of dealing with the Ichimaru issue, and even more from what had been on the bulletin board earlier.

He'd never had difficulty simply writing something before. But...

He shook his head as he entered the line. He didn't want to think about it. He wanted to hold on to the tenuous equilibrium he'd managed to find.

Renji got himself a large bowl of soup, water, and even one of those sandwiches, just to try it. Old habit, recently awakened, had him over to one side of the cafeteria, where the fewest people possible would have the chance to pass behind him. He sat there with his back toward the wall and started eating.

Comments

[tsunagari.livejournal.com]

The usual smile was upon Sai's face as Lee took his seat. "Oh good," he said. "I wasn't sure you'd follow me."

He nodded to the other boy shortly. "You probably aren't familiar with me. My name is Sai. I've been teamed with Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura, but you might not have known that either." Though for all he knew, Lee could have been from further ahead of him in the timeline. But he doubted it.

"Kakashi-san said you spoke with him this morning. I wasn't aware that you were here.

[youthfulrocklee.livejournal.com]

Lee studied Sai for a second. The smile was...really unreal. Something was off about this person, but Lee could not tell exactly what it was. Still, it did not really bother him; all people were different.

"Ah, that is odd..." Shouldn't he remember something like another member being added to Team 7? On the other hand, he seemed to recall Kakashi mentioning something about things being off. Was this one of them?

"Yes, I spoke with Kakashi-san this morning! It was rather an enlightening discussion! Tell me, Sai-san, what is it that you wished to discuss with me?"

[tsunagari.livejournal.com]

"Ah, nothing of any real importance," Sai tilted his head down a bit, as though mildly embarrassed. "I just wanted to check on others from the same world as mine. I'm sure you know how confusing this place can be."

Eyes that had squinted mostly shut from his falsely cheerful expression opened to regard Lee curiously. "I would like to know how long you've been here, and when you were taken from."

[youthfulrocklee.livejournal.com]

"It is very kind of you to think of me!" said Lee. It is indeed an odd place, and highly unpredictable. Have you perhaps seen Sakura-san or Naruto-kun? I have not seen them, but have been anxious to know if they are all right. I do hope that everyone is all right...it seems such a long time since I spoke to Gaara-sama and Sasuke-san as well. But that is not what you were curious about. I have been here almost five days. I woke up at dinner. I must admit, I am perplexed by your curiosity as to when I have come, but the last I remember was being on a mission to save Gaara-sama."

[tsunagari.livejournal.com]

"I see," Sai replied simply. It sounded as though Lee last remembered his teams assignment to back up Team Kakashi for the rescue of the Kazekage - unless Gaara had gotten himself in trouble again since that time. That was interesting.

"I've spoken with all four mentioned ninja since I arrived almost four days ago," he went on. "Unless something has happened to them in that time they should be fine."

[youthfulrocklee.livejournal.com]

Lee nodded. "Then I hope that since you have spoken to them, everything is all right."

Several questions popped into his head as he ate. He wondered which question was the best to start with. Of course, he wouldn't get any answers by merely waiting, so...

"Sai-san...I am curious. You asked at which time I was taken from. Is there a reason for you to ask such a question?"

[tsunagari.livejournal.com]

"There was." Sai tilted his head in honest curiosity of his own. "You've been here five days, you say? Are you still unaware of the differences in the times people have been taken from? It seems to be commone among all the worlds."

He didn't have much interest in his own lunch. Perhaps dinner would be more appealing. "When I arrived, Naruto and Sakura-san didn't recognize me, when we should have known each other for some time. Others I have spoken to claim that this has nothing to do with a loss of memory. It's difficult to believe, I admit."

[youthfulrocklee.livejournal.com]

"I see. I believe that Naruto-kun might have implied that he noticed such things, but he has been rather upset for numerous reasons. It is indeed hard to believe that someone would have such great power to alter time and space and yet, I have experienced the odd movement of space, therefore perhaps it is not that odd to be taken from a different time. This is a problem, indeed."